CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS GULF WAR Rumored To Launch In Late Fall

Anticipation is building as we approach the reveal of this year's new Call of Duty title. While Microsoft nor Activision have talked much about the latest installment in the blockbuster franchise, there's been plenty of chatter surrounding the game's release.

Most of that talk, however, has been focused on whether or not it will launch through Game Pass — an internal discussion at Microsoft that's apparently now been decided. Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War will reportedly launch for free on Game Pass this year.

Now the big question is when will the game be released?

We'll likely get official confirmation from Microsoft and Activision during or after the Xbox Games Showcase next month, but a new report from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson — a reputable gaming insider — claims that Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War will launch on October 25th.

Henderson had previously offered a "late October" release window for the game but gave a more specific date in response to some speculation on social media. A user had been speculating that Activision teased a November 1st release date for the new Call of Duty, to which Henderson responded: "late October currently. So probably October 25."

As others have noted, Call of Duty games typically launch on Friday. The only Fridays that made sense with the late October release window would be October 18th or October 25th. Insider-Gaming claims that October 18th is considered mid-October, which means the launch date will be October 25th — at least for now.

Microsoft is hosting its annual Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th at 10:00 a.m. PT. It will be followed by a [Redacted] Direct that many believe will be dedicated to Call of Duty. 

It's possible that the new Call of Duty will be revealed during the actual Xbox Games Showcase with the following Direct taking more of a deep dive into the game. Previous reports claim that the reveal will feature "some form of deep dive into the game, presumably a campaign mission walkthrough if they go traditional." I think we'll get a reveal/announcement trailer during the Xbox Games Showcase followed by a campaign mission walkthrough during the Direct afterward.

Multiplayer, including Zombies, could be revealed at a later date — possibly in August or September. That would pave the way for the game's official launch in late October.